1 month old chickens with sores--requesting identification help

[ABToups]

Fellow members, I noticed a little sore on the beak of one of my chicks a few days ago, but didn't think anything of it until today when I noticed two others with similar sores. The first chick's sore grew quickly, and bled when I scraped it a little. I am pregnant and worried about contracting something. I have the chicks in a pen next to but separated from the adults and the 1 month guineas. Can't tell the stool of the ill ones from the other, but I did notice one reddish plop this morning. Attaching pics of two of the birds in case you can guide me? I looked at older posts and am wondering if it is pox? Birds seem healthy other than the sores.

Should I separate them from the others? I don't really have a "healthy" way to do it w/out confining them to a tiny cage...

Thanks ahead of time for any help!

 

[ABToups]

Just found this old post...does anyone think it looks the same? Or should I worry about something more serious?https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=396558

 

[Ema]

I dunno but seems to me that might be caused by pecking, if you did see blood in the stool you will need antibiotics in their water. with so little info, we cannot really help you all that much. please fill out the questionare at the top of the Emerg/diseases section, if you did find a similar post, please include a link so we can compare. If they are next to older chickens and they can get their beaks through the fence or what ever is separating them it could be just pecking at which time I would suggest you prevent them from being able to get at these chicks. Also, the little ones will continue to peck at each other if they see the blood coloured sore. best to clean it up with some salt water and apply some liquid bandaid. will check back to see if you have given us more info, and see if I can lend you more of a helping hand

Ema

 

[ABToups]

1) What type of bird , age and weight.
Both chicks shown in the pictures are Buff Orphingtons, around 6 weeks old. Don't know weight, but both are round and healthy.

2) What is the behavior, exactly.
No change in behavior. First ones to jump in my hand when I open the cage, and both have hearty appetites so far.

3) How long has the bird been exhibiting symptoms?
Just noticed the sores a couple of days ago. Thought the first was a peck mark until I noticed it this afternoon on three other chicks.

4) Are other birds exhibiting the same symptoms?
Five chicks of eleven, so far.

5) Is there any bleeding, injury, broken bones or other sign of trauma.
None.

6) What happened, if anything that you know of, that may have caused the situation.
No ideas, except that I separated eight young guineas from the group last week to give more room per chick.

7) What has the bird been eating and drinking, if at all.
Purina chick feed.

8) How does the poop look? Normal? Bloody? Runny? etc.
Can't tell from the rest of the new flock.

9) What has been the treatment you have administered so far?
None so far--not sure where to start. Maybe iodine? Am pregnant and want to be sure I don't handle them if they have something contagious.

10 ) What is your intent as far as treatment? For example, do you want to treat completely yourself, or do you need help in stabilizing the bird til you can get to a vet?
No poultry vets around here. Either I fix them or they go to Chicken Heaven.

11) If you have a picture of the wound or condition, please post it. It may help.
Done.
12) Describe the housing/bedding in use

 

[Ema]

well they are acting fine, eating well, look healthy, eyes are clear by what I see in the pics. your issue is PECKING. anything red will induce more pecking. you need to start by masking the red sores cause by other chickens/ chicks pecking on one another. pecking can be due to not enough room, or just them establishing their pecking order. Could be a lighting issue too. Look up pecking issues on the forum you will come across many things. if the chicks are bored they can turn to pecking. sadly when a little blood comes out it draws them to peck more and the injury site gets worse. Check that you have enough feeders for the chicks, some of mine will peck at one another if trying to eat and want the other one out of the way, hence the injuries around the beak area and top of head.

Blue kote spray would be perfect just a little spray and they will stop pecking at the injury site.

when a chicken is sick, you can definitely tell and rather quickly that something is wrong, lethargy, not eating or drinking, not moving, not acting normal or walking straight, they may have diarrhea and or will lay to one side with head hunched or down into the ground. I have had some sick chickens and some injured chickens and your by the sound of it are suffering at the hand of a feathered bully or a couple lol...

try to observe them for a bit and see if any of them stand out, you might be able to spot the bully right away.

Ema

 

[ABToups]

Ema, thanks for the help! I will let you know what happens. I didn't realize how mean they would be to each other--little vampires! LOL